Moreton Bay Dolphin Research Expeditions 2021 - Eco-Volunteer Information Join us for an unforgettable exploration into the world of
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Moreton Bay Dolphin Research
Expeditions 2021
Join us for an unforgettable exploration into the world of
wild dolphins
Eco-Volunteer Information
About Dolphin Research Australia
Our Purpose
Throughout the world dolphins are exposed to an increasing number of threats and decreasing health of the
marine environments. In all oceans, dolphins are exposed to a cocktail of threatening processes and activities
from human sources. Those species that reside along the coastal zone are particularly vulnerable and face an
uncertain future as the pressure to survive increases with the inundation of increased pollutants, boating,
commercial activities, fisheries practices and climate change, to only name a few. In recent years, there has
been a general increase in the number of strandings of dolphins in Australian waters, more cases of disease,
entanglements and evidence of human interference posing a risk to individual dolphins, their communities and
environments.
Dolphin Research Australia Inc. is a charity that is working to increase the understanding of the ecology of
dolphins, whales, their needs for survival and to improve conservation efforts. Our projects are diverse, from
developing early primary education programs and adult education programs to research that investigates the
habitat use, abundance trends and social systems of dolphins and other marine species. Each of these projects
aims to increase the awareness and engage the public in marine conservation efforts and increase the
knowledge about dolphins and their marine environment.
Our Vision
Conserve and protect dolphins, whales and their marine environment through advancing knowledge and
understanding.
Our Mission
Aid in the protection and conservation of dolphins and other marine species through research and
education.
Undertake research into key ecological aspects of dolphins and whales to improve the understanding
of their requirements for survival.
Advance knowledge on the impacts of human activities on the health of dolphins, whales and the
marine environment.
Raise environmental awareness and conservation issues through education and training programs
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Moreton Bay Dolphin Research Project
Bordered by the bustling cities of South East Queensland and the beautiful Moreton, North Stradbroke and
Bay Islands, Moreton Bay is a special place. It is home to a diverse array of marine life, including multiple species
of coastal and oceanic dolphins. Similar to other areas in Australia, the local populations of dolphins in
Queensland are considered to be vulnerable to decline or localised extinction because of small population
sizes, low population growth rates, high site fidelity and geographic isolation.
Two species of dolphins, the Australian humpback dolphin (Sousa sahulensis) and Indo-Pacific bottlenose
dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) inhabit Moreton Bay all year round. These species are the focus of our research
project, particularly the humpback dolphin which has been classified as Vulnerable and a species of high
priority. Assessing the trends in abundance and ecology of dolphin populations requires long-term research
projects to determine the health and risks associated with threatening processes.
The objectives of the research are to;
- Assess and monitor the abundance and trends of coastal dolphin populations in the Moreton Bay
Marine Park;
- Examine the use of habitat areas over space and time to identify critical areas;
- Establish a baseline acoustic catalogue of communicative sounds used by coastal dolphins in Moreton
Bay;
- Investigate the social systems and stability of communicative systems of coastal dolphins in Moreton
Bay Marine Park overtime;
- Determine the threats to coastal dolphins over space and time to provide important information to be
used in conservation and management plans.
This data provides important information on the ecology of the species, their health and informs conservation
planning and management to ensure the protection of the animals and their habitats for the future.
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Eco-Volunteering
Eco-volunteers play a crucial role in our research projects! The eco-volunteer expeditions are for highly
motivated individuals who are keen to learn, contribute and be part of increasing the knowledge, awareness
and conservation of dolphins and their marine habitats. Eco-volunteers will be required to actively participate
in research expeditions, collecting data from research vessels and data entry. Dolphin Research Australia is not
a tour company and the aim of expeditions is entirely based on conducting research and obtaining scientific
data. We do, however, design expeditions for the enjoyment of participants whilst contributing to a research
project. Eco-volunteers will live with the researchers at the Moreton Bay Research Station on North Stradbroke
Island and be involved in everyday tasks including preparation of meals and cleaning dishes. The eco-
volunteers will also have the opportunity to learn directly from researchers, not only in the field, but in evening
discussions and presentations.
Participants will also have the opportunity to explore North Stradbroke Island on free days and as part of the
experience. Funding received from eco-volunteer participants goes directly towards covering the expenses of
the expeditions including accommodation, meals, insurance, contribution to field surveys and transport for
participants. We do not make a profit from expeditions.
Testimonials:
“What a great few days ... truly an amazing life experience .... Thanks for giving me the opportunity.”
- Pete
“The effects on these beautiful creatures clearly needs to be spread further and I for one gained so
much useful information over the course of the weekend. Liz, you are a true inspiration and a
beautifully unassuming person for someone that is such an expert in her field and creating real
change in the world. I would like to thank you for sharing your knowledge and allowing us to be part
of such important research. Being up close with the dolphins was extremely humbling.” – Vikki
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Dolphin Research Expedition Team Leader
Dr Liz Hawkins
Born and raised amongst the islands of Moreton Bay, Dr Liz Hawkins is an
expert in marine mammals with over 14yrs experience researching the
ecology of dolphins and whales in Australia. She is the Executive Officer
and Founding Director of Dolphin Research Australia and will be your
Expedition Leader. Dr Liz’s work has featured in many media articles
including New Scientist, Animal Planet and the BBC. Her research has
included examining different aspects of the ecology of dolphins and more
specifically, population trends, social systems and communication. She
has a passion for not just dolphins and the oceans, but also teaching
others and passing on the knowledge and the mystery about these
animals. She has been a tour guide, a conservation project leader, an
artist and so much more. You’ll spend each day working closely with Dr Liz
who will teach you all there is to know about dolphins and whales.
Your Role As an Eco-Volunteer
Your voluntary contribution is greatly appreciated and we
hope you will gain an invaluable experience. At all times
you must behave in a professional manner, as you are a
representative of Dolphin Research Australia, but most of
all you are expected to enjoy the experience.
There is no previous experience needed to partake in our
expeditions, however, there are a number of
requirements we seek from all eco-volunteers:
- Have good physical condition
- Have no experience of debilitating sea sickness
(you will need to work on the boat)
- Speak English
- Be over 18 years of age for a single traveller (for
families, children much be over 15years)
- Be prepared for long days in the field and work with
small teams of volunteers from different experiences and
backgrounds
- Have a positive attitude, be willing to help, be
enthusiastic and respectful
- Abide by the Dolphin Research Australia Code of
Conduct and workplace health and safety requirements
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Expedition Program for Eco-Volunteers
As the weather will guide our day-to-day activities, the following program is only an example of what you might
experience. Every expedition is different and the amount of time in the field and in the office will vary
depending on how the weather and the dolphins behave. As with all participatory expeditions, the more you
put in, the more you’ll enjoy!
Example of 8-day program:
Day 1: Arrive at the University of Queensland Moreton Bay Research Station; evening induction &
presentation
Day 2: Boat survey; hands on experience observing and recording dolphin behaviour; data entry
Day 3: Boat survey; hands on experience observing and recording dolphin behaviour; data entry
Day 4: Opportunity to explore North Stradbroke Island, assist with data entry, head for a dive and relax
Day 5: Boat survey; hands on experience observing and recording dolphin behaviour, evening presentation;
data entry
Day 6: Off water day due to wind, back in office helping with data entry and analysis with free time to head
to North Gorge to explore North Stradbroke Island; evening presentation
Day 7: Boat survey; hands on experience observing and recording dolphin behaviour, data entry; evening
presentation
Day 8: Departure day
Example of our 4-day program:
Day 1: Arrive at the University of Queensland Moreton Bay Research Station; induction to station, research
training, brief exploration of North Stradbroke island & evening presentation.
Day 2: Boat survey (weather dependent); hands on experience observing and recording dolphin behaviour;
data entry.
Day 3: Boat survey (weather dependent); hands on experience observing and recording dolphin behaviour;
data entry. Evening presentation.
Day 4: Boat survey (weather dependent); hands on experience observing and recording dolphin behaviour;
data entry. Late afternoon departure.
Please note that we will be doing land-based surveys if the weather prevents us from heading out on the boat.
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A Day in the Field for Eco-Volunteers
During expeditions, all activities, especially boat surveys, are entirely weather dependent. We need calm
conditions to locate and observe dolphins in the wild. The surveys are allocated to take advantage of the best
weather conditions on average for Moreton Bay, however, we are likely to experience several bad weather
days per expedition. We will work hard to get
participants out on boat surveys for 70% of the days
during their stay, however, we are unable to
guarantee that you will be able to be on the boat
every day during your stay. We work with wild
dolphins and as such we cannot guarantee that each
day you will encounter dolphins, but we’ll try our
hardest to find them during the surveys.
Our fieldwork is also based from boats and does not
involve any swimming with dolphins.
A typical day in the field ….if the seas are calm
6am breakfast and get ready for a day out on the boat. At 7am the boat is launched and start our survey and
scanning the water for any signs of dolphins. Once we find dolphins it’s all hands on deck. One volunteer will
be required to write notes and record the encounter, other volunteers will be required to keep track of the
location of the dolphin group and the group’s behaviour, others will be required to prepare the sound recording
equipment and make recordings of the dolphin vocalisations, while others will assist with taking photographs
for the individual identification of dolphins. To collect the information we need, we’ll spend up to one hour
following each group of dolphins (unless they show any signs of stress or disturbance from our presence). We’ll
then head off and continue our survey to hopefully find another group of dolphins.
By 4pm, we’ll be heading back to the Research Station. Once at the Research Station, volunteers will be
required to assist with downloading the day’s recordings and entering the data into our databases.
7.00pm – dinner is served and dishes are done.
If the seas are rough…
As all of our boat based surveys are weather dependent, we can expect a couple of poor weather days during
your stay, but we’ve organised plenty for you to do. If the weather is poor, we spend the day at the Research
Station entering and analysing data. We’ll also have presentations on dolphin ecology and conservation by Dr
Liz Hawkins. Depending on the weather, we might also head over to Amity Point or Point Lookout to do some
land surveys.
For those staying with us for two weeks, you’ll also have the opportunity to explore the beautiful North
Stradbroke Island with a trip to North Gorge at Point Lookout to enjoy the spectacular views and coastline.
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2021 Research Expedition Dates
We have a number of expeditions available during 2021. The dates for the coming year are as follows:
Moreton Bay Dolphin Research Expeditions 2021
Expedition # Arrival Departure # Days Cost per # Places
person* available
1 16th May 23rd May 8 (7 nights) $2,285 4
2 3rd June 6th June 4 (3 nights) $1,150 4
3 17th June 20th June 4 (3 nights) $1,150 4
* Average cost per person per day $297
What’s Included in the Expedition?
The following is included in the expedition price:
Accommodation & meals
Passenger ferry transfers to North Stradbroke Island
Dolphin Research Australia Expedition Pack (incl. t-shirt)
Year membership to Dolphin Research Australia
Workshops and talks from experienced crew including Dr Liz Hawkins who will be leading your
expedition
Hands-on, participatory and unique experience with dolphins in the beautiful waters of Moreton
Bay.
When we are not in the field, the team will also have the chance to assist with data processing back
at the Research Station.
We keep our expedition groups small to increase the enjoyment for you. Each research trip has a
maximum of 4 places, so get in quick to book your place!
You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the beautiful North Stradbroke Island during your stay. We’ll
organise some different options for you to enjoy as additional activities whilst on the Island.
What’s not included:
- Personal travel insurance we strongly recommend you obtain your own personal insurance prior to
joining the expedition.
- Travel to and from the meeting point at Cleveland, Queensland (price does include the ferry from
Cleveland to Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island)
- Any additional food and drinks including alcoholic beverages*
* Please note we have strict restrictions on the consumption of alcohol during expeditions and zero tolerance
for illegal drug use policy.
Where does your Money Go?
Eco-volunteers play a crucial role in our research projects! Running marine mammal research is an extremely
costly task and as an eco-volunteer you are not only part of the research team, but also a financial sponsor of
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the project. Each year, research projects such as the Moreton Bay Dolphin Research Project, cost over $100,000
and your contribution goes a long way in helping to cover some of these expenses. We are also lucky on
occasion to have the assistance of small grants from private and government bodies, however, these grants do
not cover the full cost of the project and it is through the generous donations from our supporters that makes
this critical research possible.
Project running
Volunteer food, costs (e.g.boat
accommodation & hire & fuel)
transport 41%
53%
Insurance
Administration 4%
2%
Financial breakdown of your financial contribution to the expeditions.
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What to Bring
Be prepared to be exposed to the elements and make sure you are ready for almost anything.
We recommend that you bring:
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Windproof & waterproof jacket
- Warm clothing (it can get cold on the boat)
- Swimmers
- Beach towel
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera
- Thongs & covered shoes
- Sun protective clothing (including long-sleeved shirt &
light long quick-dry pants)
Space is limited at the research station, so pack economically and
practically. There are some washing facilities in Dunwich village.
Accommodation & Meals
Our research teams will be accommodated at the
University of Queensland Moreton Bay Research
Station at the small village of Dunwich on North
Stradbroke Island. Accommodation is in shared bunk
rooms in either the Research House or in the dorm-
style rooms at the main Research Station facility with
shared bathrooms. Each facility has a common room
for the team to enjoy each other’s company and relax
at the end of the day. If you are travelling with friends,
be sure to let us know so that we can make sure you
are sharing a room.
Moreton Bay Research Station, Dunwich, North
Stradbroke Island Accommodation at the Moreton Bay Research Station: Research House common area (left),
dorm-style bunk rooms and bathroom (photos on right)
Page | 9We will provide you with breakfast, lunch and dinner options. We encourage participants to be part of meal
preparation and meal clean ups. If you have any good recipes or love to cook, let us know and we can roster
you on for being the lead chef for a night or two during expeditions. Meals will be basic and we can cater for
different dietary requirements, please let us know beforehand if you have specific needs.
There is Wi-Fi available at the Research Centre.
The Boats
We will be working from two different types of small rigid hull inflatable boats. We will primarily be doing our
boat surveys from the Moreton Bay Research Station vessels which are between 5.4m and 5.8m. On occasion,
surveys will also be made from the Dolphin Research Australia vessel ‘Delphi’ a 3m rigid hull inflatable boat.
University of Queensland Moreton Bay Research Station research vessels ‘Pelagia’ (left) and ‘Glaucus’ (right).
Page | 10Meeting Point
The meeting point for groups is at the Gold Cats Stradbroke Flyer at Cleveland at the time arranged once your
booking is confirmed.
Address of Gold Cats Stradbroke Flyer:
End of Middle Street, Cleveland, Queensland (it’s the yellow and
blue office right at the end of the street)
Make sure you meet at the yellow and blue ferry as there is more
than one company that works from the facility.
Groups will meet at the ferry 15mins prior to ferry departure.
Please make sure you allow enough time to be there with sufficient
time to check in to the ferry.
Getting to the Meeting Point
Train & Bus
There are regular trains from Brisbane that go to Cleveland train station. The courtesy bus for the ferry picks
up from the Cleveland Train Station 10minutes before the ferry departs and from outside the Commonwealth
Bank on Middle St, Cleveland 15minutes before the ferry departs.
By Road
Parking is available at the ferry terminal – please make sure you allow plenty of time to meet the ferry if you
are driving! By road, simply follow google maps to the Cleveland ferry terminal on Middle Street. Cleveland is
approximately 20-25mins from the M1 highway from the north or the south and located to the east of the City
of Brisbane.
Page | 11Moreton Bay Marine Park & North Stradbroke Island
Moreton Bay Marine Park covers more than 3,400km2 and hugs the South East Queensland Coast and
encompasses coral reefs, islands, sheltered inlets
and open ocean. Established in 1992, the
Moreton Bay Marine Park protects many
ecologically significant habitats and species. The
Bay is inhabited by the southern-most population
of dugongs (Dugong dugon) in Australia that graze
along the seagrass beds with green turtles,
hawksbill turtles and loggerhead turtles are also
commonly seen. The Bay is a haven for shorebirds
with numerous RAMSAR listed sites for migratory
bird species.
North Stradbroke Island is one of the largest
islands in Moreton Bay and is 38km long and 11km
wide. The Island is simply stunning! Known for its
surf beaches, fishing and diving, North Stradbroke is full of surprises. There are three main townships on the
Island, Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout being home to 2500 permanent residents. Being only 30km
from Brisbane, it is also a popular holiday destination. North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Bay are truly
amongst the top destinations in Australia.
The Quandamooka People are the Traditional Owners of North Stradbroke Island and surrounding area. The
Quandamooka People settled over 25,000 years ago on the Island and have a unique cultural heritage and
strong connections to Sea Country. In 2011, the Quandamooka People were officially acknowledged as the
traditional owners through their native title rights to areas of North Stradbroke Island and the surrounding
waters.
Dunwich
North
Brisbane Stradbroke
Island
Location of Meeting Point (Cleveland) and North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia
Page | 12Reserving Your Spot
Reserve a place
There are limited places available for each expedition, so bookings in advance are essential. To book simply
send us an email with the completed booking form attached. Following this, pay your deposit if booking at
least 30days prior to departure. If less than 30 days, full payment is required.
Deposit & Payment
A $200AUD non-refundable, non-transferable deposit* is required for your booking to be confirmed. If your
booking is made within four weeks (30 days) prior to the date of departure, full payment is required at the time
of booking. The balance of payment is due four weeks (30 days) prior to departure.
Payment can be made using direct deposit into the Dolphin Research Australia account, online shop, or using
PayPal (please note that PayPal payments will incur a 3% surcharge on top of expedition price).
Cancellation policy
Dolphin Research Australia realizes that most people who cancel their booking do so out of necessity.
However, cancellations are costly to administer and involve time and resources of the organisation. Therefore,
all cancellations after booking are subject to deductions to help us cover the organisations administrative
expenses (which we do as volunteers).
In the event of a cancellation by the participant:
- Cancellation more than 30 days prior to the start of the expedition will incur a $200AUD fee (equivalent
to the non-refundable deposit).
- Cancellation 30-14 days prior to the start date of the expedition will incur a 30% fee (including the
deposited amount) of the total expedition cost.
- Any cancellation of less than 14 days before the start date of an expedition, will infer 100% forfeit of
the expedition cost.
- There are no refunds after the starting date of the program. If the participant fails to join the program
or leaves the program at any time, no refunds will be issued.
- Please note that the deposit is not transferrable to any other year, product or service.
*Please note:
- In the unlikely circumstances where the expedition is cancelled by the organisation if the participant level is
below the required number or natural disasters or other external events, you may choose between us applying
the amounts paid toward an alternative date or expedition or receiving a full (100%) refund. In the
circumstances where there are too few people for an expedition to go ahead, the organisation may request a
change of dates or alternatively you will receive a 100% refund.
- The organisation is not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your
booking such as visas, vaccinations or flights.
- All expeditions are subject to COVID-19 restrictions. Where COVID-19 restrictions prevent the expedition from
going ahead (i.e. postponed, cancelled or otherwise), a 100% refund (including deposit) will be issued.
Amendments to your Reservation
If you wish to change the expedition you have reserved to another within the same year or have any other
amendments that you may wish to inquire with us about, please contact and arrange as soon as possible.
Page | 13Dolphin Research Australia Inc.
Moreton Bay Dolphin Research Expedition
Booking Form
Please complete the below form and send to us at info@dolphinresearchaustralia.org to confirm your
booking.
Name of Participant:
First Name: ___________________________________ Surname: _____________________________
Address:
E-mail:
Phone number:
Date of Birth:
Nationality:
Which Expedition you would like to book?
Dates of Expedition:
Total Expedition Fee due:
Are you travelling with a partner or friend?
Have you any previous boating experience?*
*We do not recommend this expedition if you suffer from debilitating sea sickness.
What is your interest in participating in dolphin research?
Do you have any medical conditions?
Please inform us of any conditions that we need to be aware of.
Page | 14Have you experienced seasickness in the past?
Do you have any dietary requirements (including preferences, allergies & intolerances)?
As part of your package, you’ll receive a Dolphin Research Australia t-shirt. What T-shirt size would you
like? Please let us know your size and if you would prefer a women’s or men’s cut shirt (you can view our
t-shirts via our online shop www.dolphinresearchaustralia.com).
Payment
To secure your booking you are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $200AUD.
If you are making your booking less than 30days prior to the expedition, full expedition payment is due.
Please pay deposit and expedition fee via direct bank transfer.
Bank details:
Dolphin Research Australia Inc.
Summerland Credit Union
BSB: 728 728
Account #: 22306117
Ref: yourlastname
Alternatively you can pay via our online shop at:
https://www.dolphinresearchaustralia.org/product/moreton-bay-expedition-deposit/
*Please email us at info@dolphinresearchaustralia.org when you transfer any funds so we can double
check all has gone through. Upon receipt of payment, you will receive a receipt of payment along with
confirmation of your reservation.
Page | 15Declaration
I understand the terms of reserving my position as an Eco-volunteer and the Dolphin Research
Australia refund policy associated with the Moreton Bay research expeditions.
I understand that my eco-volunteer reservation will not be confirmed until a deposit has been
received.
I understand that my participation as an eco-volunteer is also subject to completing a signed code of
conduct agreement upon arrival following induction at the commencement of your expedition.
Signed
Date
Contact Details
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding the expeditions and reservations
process at
Email: info@dolphinresearchaustralia.org
Ph: (02) 6676 1473
Website: www.dolphinresearchaustralia.org
ABN: 42095866467
** Dolphin Research Australia Inc. is a charitable marine conservation, education & research charity –find
out more about us & how you can help at www.dolphinresearchaustralia.org **
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